UK strikes £3.7bn trade deal with six Gulf states

Keir Starmer describes the agreement, worth double original estimates, as a ‘huge win’ for British businesses Keir Starmer has struck a trade deal with six Gulf states in what he described as a huge win for British business, ending four years of talks led by four different prime ministers. The deal will offer £3.7bn worth of opportunities for exporters – double the original estimates – particularly in the food and luxury car sectors but also defence, aerospace, hospitality and other services, the government said. It also provides the prime minister with a much-needed political window to show that the government is still capable of performing and concluding deals despite the turmoil and possible challenge to his leadership in the wake of the UK’s local elections. But Starmer faced immediate criticism the deal did not include a chapter on human rights despite complaints of a “values free” deal a year ago. Tom Wills, the director of the Trade Justice Movement, said the omission was “especially alarming given the severe human rights abuses across the Gulf region, including torture, forced labour, discrimination and the silencing of dissent”. It is understood the gove